Naramata Wine Tours | The Bench Experience
Naramata Bench Wine Trail | Penticton BC
Just over an hour south of Kelowna, the Naramata Bench is one of Canada's most celebrated wine trails — a stunning 20-kilometre stretch of sun-drenched clay bluffs and benchland vineyards hugging the eastern shore of Okanagan Lake, just north of Penticton. Home to over 40 wineries, cideries, and a beloved craft brewery, the Bench rewards discovery at every turn — from landmark estates like Poplar Grove Winery and Laughing Stock Vineyards to boutique hidden gems like Howling Bluff, Van Westen, and the newly opened Evolve Sparkling House. Because almost every winery on the Bench requires advance reservations, this is almost exclusively a private tour destination — and having expert local guides who know the trail, the winemakers, and the best itinerary combinations personally makes all the difference. Available for groups of 4 or more.
What’s Included With Every BARE Naramata Wine Tour
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🚐 Modern Luxury Vehicles: Climate-controlled vans exclusively for your group — clean, and comfortable
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🎶 Your Music, Your Vibe: Full Spotify control between stops. The ride is part of the experience.
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🥂 Truly All-Inclusive Pricing: Tasting and venue fees included. What you see is what you pay — no surprises at the cellar door.
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🧀 Curated Bites: Complimentary local cheese, dark chocolate, artisan crackers, and bottled spring water — thoughtfully paired to complement your tasting day.
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📍 Door-to-Door Service: Complimentary pickup and drop-off at your accommodation in Kelowna, West Kelowna, Summerland, or Penticton. No parking, no designated drivers, no stress.
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📸 The Best Guides in the Okanagan: Knowledgeable, fun, and socially aware — and yes, they double as your personal photographer.
Choose Your Experience: Half Day vs. Full Day
Not sure how long to tour? Here is the breakdown of our two most popular packages.
Feature | Half Day Tour (4 - 5 Hours) | Full Day Tour (~6 - 7 Hours) |
|---|---|---|
Wineries Visited | 4 Locations | 5 Locations |
Tastings Included | ~16-20 Tastings | ~20-25 Tastings |
Food Stop | Curated Bites available | Full Lunch Stop Included* |
Start Times | Flexible (AM or PM) | Usually 10:30 AM or 11:00 AM |
Best For | Casual groups or tight schedules | The full "Wine Lover" experience |
*Note: We book the lunch reservation for you, but the cost of the meal is separate.
Naramata Private Wine Tour | Explore the Bench Your Way
Naramata offers a diverse range of vibes. We customize your route based on your group's palate:
1. The Heavy Hitters & Icons Best for: Landmark settings, benchmark Okanagan varietals, and elevated dining.
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Poplar Grove Winery — Sophisticated architecture, world-class Legacy red blend, and The Restaurant at Poplar Grove for elevated farm-to-table lunch
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Hillside Winery & Bistro — Iconic organic estate with a 30-year heritage, benchmark Cabernet Franc, and the acclaimed Bistro for lunch and dinner
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Lake Breeze Vineyards — A serene, Mediterranean-style estate with an award-winning patio restaurant and exceptional Pinot Blanc and Semillon
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Laughing Stock Vineyards — Named Best Small Winery in Canada 2025, flagship Portfolio Bordeaux blend, stunning hilltop lake views
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Therapy Vineyards & Inn — Playful Freud-themed labels, vibrant Freudian Sip Rosé, and one of the most entertainingly knowledgeable tasting teams on the Bench
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Bench 1775 Winery: Boasting arguably the best patio in the Okanagan with 180-degree lake views and world-class secondary fermentation bubbles.
2. The Boutique & Hidden Gems Best for: Intimate tastings, meeting the winemakers, and genuine discovery.
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Van Westen Vineyards — Authentic farm-gate vibes with cult-following Voluptuous and Smoothie red blends — some of the most concentrated reds on the Bench (corrected from white wines)
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Howling Bluff Estate Winery — Rated 4.9 stars, spectacular bluff views, outstanding Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc with charcuterie pairings
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Daydreamer Wines — Low-intervention wines, roaming sheep, relaxed wine shack vibe, and exceptional Riesling near the top of the Bench
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Deep Roots Winery — Biodynamic family estate with arguably the finest view on the entire Bench, naturally made wines, and a welcoming family atmosphere
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Evolve Sparkling House — Canada's Top Sparkling Producer 2025, jaw-dropping 180° lake views, and world-class traditional method bubbles from winemaker Lynzee Schatz
3. The Triple Threat — Wine, Beer & Cider Best for: Groups who love variety beyond the grape.
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Abandoned Rail Brewing Co — A beloved craft brewery right on the KVR Trail, award-winning ales, and wood-fired pizza with local ingredients
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Cannery Brewing — A Penticton institution since 2000, award-winning craft ales and a full pub menu in a historic 1930s cannery building
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Creek & Gully — Estate orchard organic ciders, stunning lakeview patio with armchair seating, and one of the most tranquil stops on the Bench
Tour Type | # Guests | Price $ |
|---|---|---|
Half Day | 10+ | 179 |
Half Day | 7 - 9 | 189 |
Half Day | 4 - 6 | 209 |
Full Day | 10+ | 199 |
Full Day | 7- 9 | 209 |
Full Day | 4 - 6 | 229 |
All prices per person and exclude GST.
Our Naramata Partners
We partner with the best of the Bench. Use the key below to plan your budget:
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[Standard] — Fully Included: Red Rooster, Poplar Grove, Therapy Vineyards, Ruby Blues, Bench 1775, Laughing Stock, Deep Roots, La Frenz, Howling Bluff, Van Westen, Daydreamer.
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[$] — Premium (+$5-10): Tightrope, Hillside.
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[$$] — Elevated (+$15-35): JoieFarm, Little Engine, Evolve Sparkling House
The Story Behind the Naramata Bench
The Naramata Bench draws its name from the Syilx Okanagan word meaning "place where the water flows" — and the relationship between water and wine here is fundamental. Okanagan Lake moderates temperatures year-round, storing the summer's heat and releasing it slowly through the autumn harvest months, giving Bench grapes an extended growing season unlike almost anywhere else in Canada. The geology beneath the vines is equally distinctive — a complex mix of glacial till, alluvial fan deposits, and ancient clay bluffs that hold moisture perfectly and deliver the mineral complexity that defines benchmark Naramata wines. Add consistent sun exposure on south and southwest-facing slopes and you have the conditions for producing world-class Pinot Gris, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Pinot Noir that consistently draw international attention.
The modern wine story of the Bench began in 1993 when Poplar Grove planted its first vines — and for several years remained one of only a handful of estates on the trail. Today the Bench is home to over 40 producers, ranging from internationally awarded flagship estates like Laughing Stock Vineyards and Poplar Grove to intimate family operations like Van Westen Vineyards, Howling Bluff, and Daydreamer Wines — each finding their own expression of this extraordinary 20-kilometre stretch of benchland. The most recent chapter is being written by Evolve Sparkling House, which opened in July 2025 and immediately claimed Canada's Top Sparkling Producer title at the All Canadian Wine Championships — a signal that the Naramata Bench is still very much in its most exciting era.
Got Naramata Wine Tour Questions?
Have more questions? Visit our full Kelowna Wine Tour FAQ →
Ready to Book a Naramata Wine Tour?
Join 5,000+ happy guests every year on award-winning private tours across the Naramata Bench and the Okanagan — fully inclusive, expertly guided, and completely stress-free. All reservations handled, tasting fees included, and door-to-door pickup from Kelowna, West Kelowna, Summerland, or Penticton.